(Source: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis/Modified by Gene Thorp for The Washington Post)

The Washington Post : "“We are considering public transport free of charge in order to reduce the number of private cars,” three German government ministers wrote in their recent letter to the E.U., according to AFP. “Effectively fighting air pollution without any further unnecessary delays is of the highest priority for Germany.”"

Thursday, August 3, 2017

An article about the Purple Line shows why rail is a bad idea now. This article shows the confusion and division created by rail projects. What we should do is make urban buses fare-free and respond to demand. Buses first.

govtech : "It could be that by 2040 Metro and the Purple Line system will have combined to spark thriving new development all along the new route. It’s also possible that by 2040 Metro will have fallen into disuse. But why stop there? Maybe by 2040 driverless cars will have pushed all forms of public transportation off the road. Maybe everyone will be teleporting to work. Maybe anything.

The point is that these things are not just uncertain, but unknowable. Predicting traffic patterns in Maryland in 2040 is about as valid as projecting the increase in horse manure in Manhattan between 1894 and 1930. Anybody who pretends to have precise information is either a fool or a self-interested charlatan."

Monday, July 24, 2017

masstransitmag : "APTA Acting President and CEO Richard A White, expressed strong opposition to proposals to cut funding for key public transportation programs in the House Budget Committee's Budget Resolution for FY 2018. At risk is the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program for new capacity and expansion public transit projects, the multimodal TIGER grant program, reduced support for Amtrak, and a prohibition of high-speed rail federal funding."